Mantalai Lake

Set in the Parvati Range, the Mantalai lake provides a trek’s ideal objective. Starting from the piligrim town of Manikaran near Kasol, the trek winds up through the very scenic Parvati valley to the high altitude lake.

SEASON: June – October end

MAX. ALTITUDE: 4115m

NUMBER OF DAYS: 8 days

TREK GRADIENT: Moderately challenging

Day 01: Arrive in Bhunter from where a vehicle will pick you up and drop you to the base camp at Manikaran.

Take the morning bus to Barsheni, from where the trek starts. Khirganga is a hot spring where Lord Shiva is said to have meditated. The difference between the spring here and in Manikaran is that after a bath in Khirganga, your skin will feel clammy and greasy whereas after a bath in the spring at Manikaran, your skin will feel dry.

Day 03: Khirganga – Tunda Bhuj (3285m)Duration: 5 hours

The trek commences through dense forests and flower-strewn meadows. The progress is gradual and slow as it’s a steep climb to Tunda Bhuj.

Day 04: Tunda Bhuj – Thakur Kuan (3620m)Duration: 6 hours

The trail continues through a landscape strewn with waterfalls, lakes and meadows till Thakur Kuan.

Day 05: Thakur Kuan – Odi Thach (3800m)Duration: 5 hours

It’s another day of steep climb to reach the high altitude meadow of Odi Thach. On the path, you will cross the Pandu Bridge, which is made of a single rock on the river Parvati. It is said to made by the Pandavas during their exile in the Himalayas.

Day 06: Odi Thach – Mantalai Lake (4115m) and backDuration: 9 hours

The trek up to Mantalai lake is a gradual climb. Once at the lake, you can see the Mantalai Glacier, which is the source of the river Parvati.

Day 07: Odi Thach – Tunda BhaujDuration: 8 hours

Return to Tunda Bhauj is by the same route that was taken on the way up.

Day 08: Tunda Bhauj – Barsheni – ManikaranDuration: 7 hours

Return to Barsheni from where a vehicle will pick you up and drop you back at Manikaran where the trek ends.